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Shop with us for: 1800 111 445 All Defence Force orders over $300* will receive a VIP pack valued at $75 for FREE. Orders over $500 will also automatically receive a 5% bulk buy discount. WE GUARANTEE Apply online at www.adcu.com.au, phone 1300 13 23 28 or visit your local ADCU branch. *Conditions apply. Visit www.adcu.com.au for details. Australian Defence Credit Union Ltd ABN 48 087 649 741 AFSL 237 988. The Best Car Loan Deal If you're looking for a great car loan deal, see ADCU first. Combine your car loan and car insurance and receive a $100 Gift Card*. Reward yourself with a $100 Gift Card* new car loan 19 Sport AIR FORCE April 30, 2009 WITH SGT Murray Stabler winning the men's longboard title in challenging conditions, a lack of women surfers proved the dif- ference between winning and los- ing the teams event for Air Force at the 2009 Inter-Service Surfing Championships. Army, Navy and Air Force went head-to-head in arduous weather conditions in the Port Stephens district from March 31 to April 2. All teams were well represented, with Navy looking to defend its pre- vious year's title. After strong representation in the individual disciplines, Air Force was confident of toppling Navy from its pedestal. But Air Force could not field any female surfers this year and Navy, which had three women competi- tors, took maximum female heat points to push it above Air Force. SGT Stabler's title came on the last day when he picked a few of the bigger right-handers and pulled off a couple of big moves in the heavy conditions to win the men's long- board competition. It was a close tussle, though. Near the end, six competitors were still in the mix before SGT Stabler ultimately triumphed over CPOCD Tim Hayes. "Obviously Air Force was dis- Wave rave for Stabler Results Men's longboard: 1st SGT Murray Stabler; 2nd CPOCD Tim Hayes; 3rd FSGT Martin Johns; 4th LSSN Ben Dawson; 5th CPL Russell Huxley; 6th SGT Nathan Grumley, ARA Men's shortboard: 1st LSAT Jordan Dank; 2nd ABET Chad Poland; 3rd LSPT Nathan Adamson; 4th LSAT Daniel McLean; 5th CPOCD Tim Hayes; 6th POA Jeffrey Weber. Teams competition: Navy 172, Air Force 140, Army 108. ON THE CREST: FSGT Martin Johns shows his place-getting form in the longboards as he cuts left on the final day of the 2009 Inter-Service Surfing Championships at Birubi Beach, Anna Bay. Photo: LACW Amy Trebilco appointed to be so close to finally knocking off the Navy and falling ever so short," SGT Stabler said. "However, we will go into next year's event buoyed with confi- dence that if we can maintain our core team and gather some interest from the Air Force's female surf- ing fraternity, then the title will be within reach." Air Force performed above expectations with great results from LAC William Burnett, CPL Simon Dodd, LAC Phillip Moult and SGT Steve Medaris. AIRCDRE Richard Owen, who had not competed in the event since 2007 for health reasons, turned in a noteworthy effort. He overcame further adversity when he ripped his fin out during a wipeout that also injured his arm during his shortboard heat, but still performed strongly in the longboard teams' heat. The event began with 30-knot winds, 3m swells and sporadic storms. The first heats of the short and longboard where held at Birubi Point in big-wave conditions. Air Force held their own in the big stuff, particularly the longboard- ers SGT David Lind, FSGT Martin Johns and SQNLDR Mark Evans. Deteriorating and dangerous con- ditions after lunch on day one forced a move to nearby Fingal Bay, where the waves were secluded from the strong easterly winds and were of a more moderate size. The new location provided the spark for the Air Force longboarders to start performing, with some great rides from CPL Russell Huxley, SGT Stabler and CPL Stuart Johnson. Three Air Force competitors made the longboard final. The big condi- tions favoured FSGT Johns, and he scored some excellent long wave rides from the big bombs way out the back. Air Force personnel interested in participating in the next inter- Service surfing event should con- tact SGT Murray Stabler, president of Williamtown Boardriders' Club at murray.stabler@defence.gov.au From Back Page Air Force was able to bolster its numbers with a further eight play- ers fronting for the final at Western Oval, however was unable to con- vert on the scoreboard, with just one behind registered for the game. All players were more than com- petitive and kept the pressure on a well- drilled Navy side which was relentless on securing victory. In his first national carnival as Air Force coach, CPL King was impressed by the efforts of all players, who he says have put their hands up to go one better next year. "I said to the girls after the final that the games this year were all about enjoy- ment and getting to know each other. "We hope to have two or three sides in next year's Kapooka 12s and hopefully build the basis of a successful squad just like the men." The sweetest victory of all Rookie players gain experience By Michael Weaver WITH a dozen players getting their first taste of inter-Service football, the Air Force men's team took lots of positives from the Jimmy Smail Cup at the Australian Services Australian Football Association National Cham- pionships in Melbourne in April. Navy won with wins against Army and Air Force. But Air Force captain CPL Sean McGrath was upbeat. "The first game against Army was definitely one we let go," he said. "We ran out of legs a little bit towards the end and just made some silly mistakes and buckled under a little bit of pres- sure, really. "We came with a squad of 25 play- ers, then lost Murry Woodcock to a bro- ken leg and Travis McKee to a broken arm on the Wednesday." Results Women -- Air Force 6.5 (41) d Army 4.4 (28), Navy 17.4 (106) d Army 3.6 (24), final: Navy 6.6 (42) d Air Force 0.1 (1). Men -- Army 11.9 (75) d Air Force 10.5 (65), Navy 21.8 (134) d Air Force 10.8 (68), final: Navy 19.14 (128) d Army 11.5 (71). Air Force best -- Men: CPL Sean McGrath (382 ECSS). Women: CPL Debbie Grylls (DFRC Melb).